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A WATER POLO star’s cheek was covered in blood after she cut her eye in the most gruesome moment of a brutal Olympics match.
Canadian Blaire McDowell was hurt in a collision during a play-off contest with Italy.
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And following defeat to the Azzurri, it’s unclear if she will be fit enough to play in Saturday’s play-off against Greece for seventh place.
But the injury certainly looked nasty.
McDowell’s padded cap failed to protect her from taking a gashing on the corner of her left eye.
Water polo players use headgear to identify them and their team, but also as a guard against injury.
However, it’s mainly to protect ears, such as if the ball hits a head.
McDowell grimaced as blood streamed down her cheek.
And it will only have made her mood worse following a 10-5 loss.
McDowell did manage to score, but Roberta Bianconi and Roberta Claudia Marletta netted twice apiece in a comfortable win for Italy.
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It means the Azzurri will battle with Hungary for fifth place.
Spain and Australia will battle it out for gold – after each needed a shootout to triumph in their tense semi-finals.
The Spanish saw off the Netherlands 19-18, via a 5-4 success in the extras.
And the Aussies pipped the USA 14-13, thanks to a 6-5 shootout triumph – their third such nailbiting victory of the Games.
